Loughdeheen Castle or Monastery

by the late Frank Power
from the book “Historical Dunhill Landmarks (1988).”

This large building is on the land of Jack Walsh and is about one hundred yards from the road in the townland of Lougdeheen. This was a two-storeyed building with some castle-like features. The walls are seven feet thick in some parts and narrow slits are built into the walls throughout the building. Two thirds of the ground floor area have an arched ceiling, like that at Dunhill Castle. The other section of the ground floor area has two arched doorways opposite each other and measuring about eight feet by seven feet wide. The origin of this solidly-built structure has been the subject for speculation among those who have studied it. The north-eastern corner has an unusual feature where a skilfully-built stone-lined shaft goes from the first floor to the ground. This has been described as a medieval-style toilet. A similar type of shaft has been found at Dunhill Castle but is outside the building and set into the ground about fifteen feet.

This ruin has been described, also, as a monastery. In a survey carried out in 1539/40 called “Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions”, William Wyse of Waterford paid 13s 4d for the lease of 120 acres of confiscated monastic land at Loughdeheen. The suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII led to widespread selling and leasing of their lands. The architecture of Loughdeheen Castle/Monastery suggests that it may have been the property of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who inherited the possessions of Knights Templar when they were banned. In his history of the “Knights Templar”, Stephen Howarth wrote, “their houses and castles were the strongest and safest known”. In the history of the family of le Poer, Redmond refers to Maurice le Poer as being a Knight of the Hospitallers, in 1370 A.D.

Sean Chill (Old Church)

by the late Frank Power
from the book “Historical Dunhill Landmarks (1988).”

This old church ruin stands about one mile from the first turn right on the return from Loughdeheen Castle. It is situated one hundred yards from Mick Melvey’s house. This is older and more primitive than the ruined churches at Reiske and Dunhill Castle. This ancient site contains the outline of a building, two graves, one marked with an upright stone. A man-made well can be seen close by. Local man, Bill Keane, was one of those who assisted Prof. Cannon Patrick Power when he was surveying this site. Before the 14th century the Diocese of Waterford was separate from the Lismore diocese. The boundary ran through Portlaw, Ballyduff, and into this parish by the west side of Raheen, Ballycraddock, Killown, and along by the river to Annestown. This church was in the Waterford diocese at the time.